Aihole is a glorious part of India and a trip to this great center of medieval Indian art and architecture would make you aware of a great heritage. Aihole is situated on the banks of the river Malaprabha. The cave temple of Ravana Phadi stands all by itself backed against the rocky hill out of which it has been carved. Plan your trip to Aihole and fix your date with history.
All across Karnataka, invaders, conquerors and dynasties have come and gone. They have left their imprint on the land, its people and their folkways. Nowhere is this more evident than at Aihole in Northern Karnataka.
The Chalukya Dynasty was founded by Pulakesin I, or the Great Lion, in AD 543. In all likelihood, his family was feudatories of the earlier Kadamba dynasty before they declared their independence from their former lords.
This period saw the construction of great architectural wonders not only at Aihole but the whole region including Badami, Pattadakal, and other places. Its own district officers, the Rashtrakutas in AD 757, ousted the early Chalukya dynasty. Later on, Aihole became a part of the Bahmani and other local Muslim dynasties. In the 17th century, Aurangzeb annexed the Deccan and made it a part of the Mughal Empire and Aihole, as a part of that region, came under the Mughal rule.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Badami.
Road: Aihole is connected by road to: Pattadkal (17kms), Badami (46 kms), Bangalore (483 kms).
Local Transport: Cycle Rickshaws, Bus Service
Aihole, the earliest capital of the Chalukyas, a picturesque village nestling on the banks of the Malaprabha river and overflowing with clusters of the most beautiful temples. Ailhole has over a hundred temples scattered around the village. The sculptures of Ailhole temples have superb architecture. Wherever one looks, it is temples that meet the eyes. Intricately carved, rich in detail, quiet and peaceful. The oldest temple here is perhaps the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th Century. On the roof of the temple is another shrine-like vimana. The Durga (Fort) Temple is notable for its semicircular apes, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. The interior is filled with fascinating carvings. Chamundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon, Narasimha - the half-man, half-female deity. Then there is image of the fearsome Mahishasuramardini or the Mother Goddess Durga destroying the demon Mahisha.
The Huthimalli Temple - out in the village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop a large cobra. Dating back to the 6th century, the Ravalpathi Cave cave-temple celebrates the many forms of Lord Shiva. This cave is well worth a long visit. Inside the cave is the beautiful statue of dancing Shiva who seems to be trembling with motion. Not-to-be-missed is the Konthis Temple Complex (Kwanthi Gudi), the Uma Maheshwari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storeyed Buddhist Temple.
Climb up the stairs and you will come across a tranquil, smiling Buddha carved on the ceiling. In the main Aihole temple complex there are about a hundred shrines, large and small, dotted all across this abandoned capital of the Chalukyas though only a few of them are in the fenced area. Of particular interest is the Durg Temple, which is not only the most decorated monument in Aihole, but it is also famous as an imitation of a Buddhist rock-cut Chaitya hall.
